Cocco Contributes Artwork, UA Joins with "Murmurs"

The original song for "Miruku Yugafu - Undercooled" is "Undercooled," released by Ryuichi Sakamoto in 2004 on his album "CHASM." Troubled by the September 11th terrorist attacks in the US, the subsequent Iraq War, and frequent conflicts worldwide, the professor, wishing for peace, created this song with the sentiment that the world "needs to cool down."

Then, several years ago, Misako Koja, an old acquaintance who had participated in Ryuichi Sakamoto's albums "ONE GEO" and "BEAUTY," as well as his world tours, requested to the professor, "I want to sing 'Undercooled' with Okinawan lyrics." After Sakamoto's recovery from illness, the collaborative work was completed.

"The song 'Undercooled' was created in 2003, around the time the US invaded Iraq under the false pretense of possessing weapons of mass destruction, with the feeling of 'cool your heads.' Last year, I received a recording of this song with lyrics. After listening to it many times and contemplating what I could do, I was diagnosed with cancer. A year has passed, and my strength has somewhat recovered, so I decided to add the minimal amount of sound to enhance the singing. UA also provided 'murmurs,' and Cocco kindly offered her own artwork for the cover. Like Unai Gumi and myself, we oppose the relocation of the US military base to Henoko, which would destroy Okinawa's sea and precious ecosystem. Therefore, the artist's income from the sales of this song, after deducting the label's fees and various expenses, will be donated," Sakamoto stated.

The singers are "Unai Gumi," formed in 2014 by Misako Koja, along with Nami Miyazato and Yukino Hiyane, also from the original Ne Ne's, and Emi Shimabukuro, with whom they have long been friends. "Unai" is said to mean "sisters" in the Okinawan language.

The song, newly incorporating Okinawan lyrics, has been titled "Miruku Yugafu." It embodies the meaning of "an ideal and peaceful world brought by the Miroku deity," a concept from ancient Okinawan beliefs.

The first verse is short, just over five bars, allowing the vocal talents of the four seasoned artists to shine. The simple, almost incantatory melody repeats through twelve verses, creating a unique musical world. In the interlude, UA and her children participate with "murmurs," charmingly chattering about the story of humanity and the universe.

The jacket artwork features a contribution from Cocco, an artist from Okinawa, depicting a fantastical world. As mentioned, the artist's income from this release, after deducting the label's fees and other expenses, will be donated to the "Henoko Fund."

"Miruku Yugafu - Undercooled" calmly (undercooled), gently, yet powerfully, expresses a desire for peace in Okinawa, peace in Japan, and a world without war, through the strength of music and song. The music, with its cosmic breadth, resonates warmly within our hearts.